How to Build an Author Brand: Tips for New Writers

Writing a book is an incredible achievement, but in today’s publishing world, being an author is more than just writing it’s about building a brand.

Your author brand is how you present yourself to readers, publishers, and the literary world. It’s your unique voice, identity, and message that sets you apart from other writers. Whether you plan to traditionally publish, self-publish, or work with a hybrid publisher like Morpheus Publishing, a strong brand can help you attract readers, sell books, and grow your career.

Not sure where to start? Here are practical steps to build your author brand as a new writer.

1. Define Your Author Identity

Before you start promoting yourself, take a moment to define your author identity. Ask yourself:

• What do I write? (Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, etc.) 

• Who is my ideal reader? (Age group, interests, reading habits) 

• What themes or messages do I explore? (Hope, resilience, adventure, mental health, history, etc.) 

• What makes me different? (Your personal story, writing style, perspective)

💡 Example: If you’re a children’s book author focusing on diversity and inclusion, your brand should reflect that through your content, visuals, and messaging.

Your author identity is the foundation of your brand—once you’re clear on it, everything else will align.

2. Create a Strong Author Bio

Your author bio is one of the most important elements of your brand. It appears on your website, book covers, social media, and press materials, so it needs to be professional and engaging.

What to include in your bio:

✅ Your name and what you write – e.g., "Jane Doe is a historical fiction author..." 

✅ A personal touch – Share a bit about yourself, your journey, or why you write. 

✅ Your achievements – Awards, publications, credentials (if applicable). 

✅ A call to action – Encourage readers to connect with you (website, social media, newsletter).

Here’s the revised Section 2 featuring Justine Martin along with a professional blurb and website mention.

2. Create a Strong Author Bio

Your author bio is one of the most important elements of your brand. It appears on your website, book covers, social media, and press materials, so it needs to be professional and engaging.

For inspiration, let’s take a look at Justine Martin, an established author, speaker, and resilience advocate.

Justine Martin’s Author Bio

"Justine Martin is an award-winning author, international keynote speaker, resilience coach, and artist dedicated to inspiring others through storytelling. A fierce advocate for overcoming adversity, Justine has turned her personal battles with multiple sclerosis, cancer, and a traumatic brain injury into a platform for empowerment and growth. She is the author of multiple books, including her memoir MOXIE: How I Learnt to Harden the F* Up*, and has helped countless individuals through her businesses, Resilience Mindset and Morpheus Publishing. When she’s not writing, Justine can be found painting, travelling, or competing in Strongman events as an all-abilities athlete. Learn more at www.justinemartin.com."

What Makes a Great Author Bio?

When crafting your own bio, include: 

✅ Who you are – Your name and writing focus (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.). 

✅ Your personal story or unique perspective – What led you to write? 

✅ Key achievements – Awards, notable books, or career highlights. 

✅ A personal touch – Something readers can connect with. 

✅ Call to action – Direct readers to your website or social media.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your bio concise but impactful. You can have a short version for book covers and a longer version for your website.

3. Build a Professional Author Website

Your website is your online home. It’s where readers, publishers, and media can find you.

What to include on your website:

✅ Homepage – A welcoming introduction to you and your books. 

✅ About Page – Your bio and personal journey as a writer. 

✅ Books Page – A showcase of your published and upcoming books. 

✅ Blog (Optional) – Share updates, writing tips, or behind-the-scenes content.

✅ Contact Page – Make it easy for readers, media, and publishers to reach you. 

✅ Newsletter Signup – Build an email list to stay connected with readers.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your website clean, simple, and easy to navigate. Use consistent branding, including fonts, colours, and a professional author photo.

4. Develop Your Social Media Presence

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with readers, promoting your books, and establishing your brand.

Choose platforms that suit your audience and personality:

• Instagram – Great for visual storytelling, book updates, and behind-the-scenes posts. 

• Facebook – Good for author pages, reader groups, and longer posts. 

• Twitter/X – Ideal for networking with writers and sharing quick updates. 

• TikTok (BookTok) – Explosive potential for book marketing, especially for younger audiences. 

• YouTube – Perfect for sharing video content like book trailers, writing tips, and Q&As.

What to post on social media:

✅ Behind-the-scenes writing updates 

✅ Snippets from your book or character insights 

✅ Writing tips and advice 

✅ Personal stories and inspirations 

✅ Book reviews or recommendations 

✅ Engage with readers (reply to comments, ask questions, run polls)

💡 Pro Tip: Be authentic—don’t try to be everywhere at once. Choose one or two platforms and be consistent.

5. Create a Strong Visual Brand

Your visual identity plays a huge role in how people recognise and remember you.

📌 Author Photos – Have a professional or high-quality photo for your website and social media. 

📌 Consistent Colours & Fonts – Use the same branding on your website, social media, and book covers. 

📌 Book Cover Design – Make sure your book covers match your genre and branding. 

📌 Logo (Optional) – Some authors create a simple logo for their brand.

💡 Example: If you write dark thrillers, your branding should reflect that—moody colours, intense fonts, and suspenseful imagery. If you write light-hearted romance, soft pastels and elegant fonts would suit your brand.

6. Engage With Your Readers

Your readers are the heart of your author brand. Engaging with them builds loyalty and long-term success.

Ways to connect with readers: 

📩 Start an email newsletter – Share exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and personal insights. 

📚 Attend book events – Signings, festivals, and speaking engagements. 

🎙 Podcast interviews or guest blogging – Share your story on other platforms. 

📖 Beta Readers & ARC Teams – Involve readers in your writing process.

💡 Pro Tip: Your readers will support you if they feel connected to you—so be genuine and engaging.

7. Be Consistent and Patient

Building an author brand takes time. Don’t get discouraged if growth feels slow at first. The key is consistency.

✅ Keep posting, writing, and engaging. 

✅ Stay true to your voice and values. 

✅ Celebrate small milestones (first followers, first book sale, first interview). 

✅ Keep learning and adapting as you grow.

Remember: Your author brand is a long-term investment in your writing career.

Final Thoughts: Your Author Brand is Your Legacy

Your author brand is more than just marketing—it’s how readers experience and remember you. Whether you’re writing your first book or preparing for publication, taking time to build your brand now will set you up for long-term success.

At Morpheus Publishing, we support authors in building their brands, creating professional books, and reaching the right audience.

Are you ready to take your author brand to the next level? Contact Morpheus Publishing today, and let’s bring your vision to life!